NBA IS ATTEMPTING TO REOPEN ITS LEAGUE

By Robert Rios​El Rodeo Staff Writer

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has taken the first step in trying to re-open the league to the players. ESPN put out an initial report that the NBA would allow teams to open up their facilities to players on May 1st but was then pushed back to May 8th

In a statement sent out to all teams, league officials said, "The potential rules changes would allow teams to make their practice facilities available for use by the team's players for workouts or treatment on a voluntary, individual basis if the team's facility is in a city that is no longer subject to a government restriction."

While this is a significant step for the NBA, this decision does not mean that the league has an idea of when and where to resume play. The NBA season has been suspended since March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert became the league's first player to test positive for COVID-19.The league also added stipulations that teams must follow after facilities open up. No more than four players are allowed at a facility at one time, and practices and scrimmages are prohibited and a distance of 12 feet must be kept among individuals on the court.

NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted out a report in which he said, " NBA has received significant pushback from teams about the idea of re-opening practice facilities in selected states and municipalities, team officials tell ESPN. Competitive balance hasn't been an issue — player/staff safety has."​Hawks president of basketball operations and general manager Travis Schlenk told ESPN reporters, “We are going to wait and see what happens in the state over the couple weeks. If there’s a positive response, we’ll slowly open up. If it’s a negative response, we’ll make sure our staff and players remain healthy.” It sounds like we’re still a ways away from enjoying any NBA action, but hopefully, this is settled soon so that we’ll be one step closer to the return of NBA basketball and crown a champion.